Austin Hill Replacing Kyle Busch in Coca-Cola 600: Does Hill Become Favorite to Win?
The NASCAR world was rocked on May 21, as news spread that elite racer Kyle Busch would be pulling out of the Coca-Cola 600 slated for Sunday, May 24, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Per an official statement from the Busch family:
"Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation."
Busch was set to race the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. In the following statement, the company wished Busch well while also announcing that fellow racer Austin Hill would be Busch's replacement:
"Kyle Busch's health is our upmost priority and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them. Kyle is an integral part of our organization and we wish him a safe and speedy recovery. His No. 8 Chevrolet will be ready and waiting for him. We're thankful to Austin Hill for stepping in to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet this weekend. Please keep Kyle and the Busch family in your prayers, and help us respect the family's privacy at this time."
With all of that being said, who is Austin Hill, and just what are his chances of winning the Coca-Cola 600?
Who Is Austin Hill?
32-year-old Hill hails from Winston, Georgia, and serves as a valued member of the Richard Childress Racing team. He currently sits at #7 in the driver ranking with 424 points, with his most recent accomplishment being his O'Reilly Auto Parts Series win at the Daytona International Speedway in February 2026. Additionally, according to the RCR site, "His 10 drafting track wins eclipses previous records set by NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart, who each had eight victories on drafting tracks."
Who Is the Favorite to Win the Coca-Cola 600?
According to Fox Sports, prior to Busch's withdrawal, Denny Hamlin was the odds-on favorite to win the upcoming race. While it's certainly not wise to count anyone out when it comes to a race, Hill becoming a contender in the Coca-Cola 600 is not likely to change Hamiln's favorite status.
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 9:06 AM.